As February 27, the day for the first phase voting in the ensuing 12th State Assembly Election falls on Sunday, the All Tribal Students’ Union, Manipur (Manipur) on Monday said it may discourage many in hill districts of Manipur to vote on that day. Therefore, the ATSUM called on the Election Commission to reschedule the polling date of the hill assembly constituencies to any other date, which does not fall on a Sunday.
The apex tribal student body of Manipur, ATSUM said that the scheduling of polling date on February 27, which falls on Sunday, is a matter of grave concern for the tribal people and Christian community of the state.
Khaiminlen Doungel, Secretary, Information, and Publicity of ATSUM, said that tribal population which constitute about 43 per cent of the state population are predominantly Christian and for Christians, Sunday is a holy and sacred day and it is also a day for rest and worship.
The state Election Commission lacks the susceptibility and the ability to appreciate the spiritual values, beliefs and practises of the Christian community of the state, Doungel said, adding that such apathy towards the religious sentiment of the Christian community is in fact antagonistic.
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He also said that the state Election Commission must try to ensure participation of all eligible citizens to exercise their adult franchise, but that its decision will instead prevent many from participating in the election. Therefore, ATSUM has urged the state Election Commission to reschedule the polling date of the hill assembly constituencies to any other convenient date, which does not fall on a Sunday.
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